09 The Night Before the Final Battle 2

Shu cast a weary voice toward the ever-growing pile of luggage.

"Let me say this—"

"Shut up, Higashi."

"Emissa-chan..."

He flinched slightly at Emissa's sharp reply, but continued.

"You can't possibly carry all of that, can you?"

"I—I know that!"

The location was Jake's shop.

When Shu, Emissa, and Masaru had searched for a place where the three of them could gather, this spot had been suggested—the very place originally planned for Mio's birthday party.

Now, what were the three of them doing here?

"Ush, done. Here, bento."

"Um, Mr. Jake. We're not going on a picnic, you know."

"Idiot. Who said anything about your portion? This is for the young lady."

The bento case handed over was a state-of-the-art model—recently released, with contents freeze-dried and thawed instantly upon opening.

Seems like this is what he bought for this purpose.

"Can be stored long-term—this one’s practical."

"Whatever. It’ll fit, no problem."

"East Valley. My share—please take care of it."

"Got it. Leave it to me."

From Ya, a bookmark and an old-fashioned paper book were handed over.

It was placed carefully inside the bag.

"Still Carmine, huh?"

"Just wait a little longer!...Hey, can’t we manage to carry all this?"

"Are you serious about fitting a supply backpack on my unit?"

The three were selecting a gift for Mio.

Something meant to be given during the birthday celebration that should have happened here.

Something never delivered.

Now entrusted to Shu.

"Still, you’re just a trainee. Can’t participate in operations, can you? So what’s the plan?"

"Huh. Don’t underestimate me. Back when I was six, I snuck aboard a cruiser."

"...Stowaway, really?"

Shu, with a sigh at Jake’s exasperated glance, began with a light tone—just a joke—and then revealed the truth.

"Brother, sister—thanks to the old man from Higashi-cho’s connections, I was assigned to the supply transport unit."

Needless to say, there was also a brief dispute regarding that matter.

Accompanying the battlefield despite inexperience.

May, who knew his abilities best, opposed fiercely.

So it is said.

Are you insane!? Are you really that foolish!? Do you plan to die with those arms!?

Scolded thoroughly, every deficiency was enumerated.

Jin and Kou, who had opposed each other, were forced into a defensive position—completely outmatched.

Even faced with such opposition, Juu did not relent. He attempted to follow, even if it meant breaking down in tears.

The reason needs no explanation.

Mio.

There is something I must say.

There is something I must deliver.

I must see you.

Driven solely by that resolve, the three eventually yielded.

For now, they would see whether a plausible reason to board the vessel could be found.

As a result, the trainees who volunteered were assigned to the cargo transport unit.

The expedition would be long-term. The required supplies were vast.

Even the management and reloading alone demanded significant effort.

Especially the container rehandling—without room for additional heavy machinery, assault frames were necessary.

Apparently, assigning such tasks to trainees was preferable to assigning them to regular troops.

Guard and the reserve Leopard were also assigned to board.

Incidentally, no one else had volunteered.

“Hmph. So basically, rear support, then.”

“Feh… there’ll be a chance to move up if things get chaotic.”

“Don’t you dare let anyone hear that.”

Caught the moment you were overheard plotting an unauthorized sortie.

Jin and the others had only agreed to meet after recovery—nothing more. Authorization for departure was still denied.

“Alright! Decided!”

While the two men whispered in secret, Emisa finally managed, with Ya’s help, to squeeze the gift into place.

She handed over a hair ornament.

“Understood? Deliver it—no matter what. Even if you die, deliver it.”

“I get it already.”

She took it casually, stuffed it into her bag, and glanced at Jun with a complicated look.

“Guess it’s better without it now.”

“Huh?”

“Try not to die—just deliver it.”

“Hey, what’s with the sudden pessimism?”

Jun chuckled, thrown off by Emisa’s sudden shift in tone, but Emisa didn’t smile.

"Because the place you're heading to is dangerous, isn't it? Just like last time."

The 'last time' referred to the day they’d fled from ASID—easy to understand.

Shu couldn’t laugh it off. He nodded vaguely.

"More or less… not safe."

He said it cautiously, though the danger level that day was incomparable.

Allies outnumbered enemies, but enemies outnumbered allies too.

Still, Shu knew saying that wouldn’t restore Emisa’s spirits, so he said nothing more.

"Besides, you’re terrible at it."

"Not really. I’m decent among my peers…"

"But you’re worse than Mio’s father, or your older brother, right?"

"Please—don’t compare me to those two! They’re at the top tier of humanity!"

The 'still' in that statement suggested he fully intended to be compared someday. But that was beside the point.

Saying something like that to you— I might actually die from it...

Carmine...

Sō was silent for a moment, as if contemplating such a thing.

I'm sorry, but I have someone else I like... your feelings...

Who said such a thing?

A surprisingly forceful shoulder strike caught Mio off guard.

Emissa's strength, honed through fencing training, exceeds expectations—her eyes water slightly.

You’ve lost nothing by worrying about her seriously!

"But movies always have stuff like this, don't they!"

Ah, yeah... I’ve got one... but I’m not sure it’s wise to mention it now. Yeah, well, try not to push too hard—just enough to stay alive.

"Until Hasegawa!"

While carrying the backpack, Shu feels a vague sense of dissatisfaction, as if his safety had been wished for too casually.

Until the day of departure, assistance with loading supplies.

Ah. That's right, Higata. In passing, take this as well.

What is this?

Frowning at the array of advertisements displayed on the virtual screen.

Fixing attention on one of them.

A travel package ad.

"I was planning a graduation trip with Ya and Mio— you could come along as luggage carrier if you'd like."

"Luggage carrier?!"

"What? Carrying the luggage of three beauties? How many volunteers would there be at my school?"

"Three? Tohgo, Higata, and who else?"

A second punch.

Shu couldn't avoid it while holding his bag.

"Say it again— three."

"Tohgo, Higata, and Carmine..."

Damn you, violent girl, he mutters under his breath, not loud enough to be heard.

"Can't decide on a destination without Mio. Talk it over with both of them when you meet."

"...Got it. I'll make sure to ask their preferences."

Emissa exhaled deliberately, launching into her whispered criticism of Mio.

It was too sweet, too tinged with sorrow to truly count as gossip.

“Going off somewhere without even listening to anyone—really, Mio, you’re so stubborn, so utterly unpredictable.”

“Thinking we might be afraid—that’s what hurts. Or maybe I’m just angry.”

“Fear-wise, Carmine’s way worse… ouch!”

“Did you say something? Tōtani?”

“That’s exactly it!”

“Such a foolish dog needs proper training, doesn’t it?”

Shū flinched at Emissa’s casual remark and pulled the conversation back on track.

“Well, if she really wants to go back home… I guess it’s understandable. But just leaving without a word—that’s too cold.”

“True. Even in that case, at least a farewell trip would’ve been proper.”

"Then there's the address for the move... ah, but will mail even reach the ASID stars?"

What all three share is knowing Mio as a person.

And even if they knew Mio's true identity, she remains the same beloved, naturally clumsy friend.

"That's right, Higata. If Mio starts dragging on, just say this—"

"What? Is that some kind of magic phrase?"

Yes, Emissa replies, a self-satisfied smile forming on her lips.

"If you don't come back, I'll give that photo to Higata."

"Whoa, Emissa-chan, you're ruthless."

"What? That actually sounds intense."

"You don't need to worry about it."

"Calling me by name and telling me not to care? That's harsh."

They were mostly together in elementary school, but after middle school, they often went separate ways. After entering the training academy, time spent together became almost nonexistent.

So, Sō knows Mio only partially. The same applies in reverse.

"If you absolutely must see it, ask Mio. If you beg earnestly enough, she might show it to you."

"Ugh, Emissa-chan really is ruthless..."

"Well, I'll ask her when we meet."

Unaware that he had just planted a literal landmine, Jun returns to the training academy.

Holding the thoughts and items entrusted to him by each of them.